Theoretical Models of Disability Flashcards
Medical Model
Defines disability in terms of biological impairments.
Strengths of the Medical Model
- Explicitly acknowledges that there is a biological condition that places an individual at a disadvantage compared to the majority of the population.
- A clearly-defined set of biological criteria to diagnose a person’s condition sometimes helps, eg. in medical diagnoses/treatment and government assistance criteria.
Weaknesses of the Medical Model
- Focuses exclusively on biology and so overlooks the impact of design decisions in our social environment.
- Assigns disability as a characteristic of an individual person, essentially stigmatizing the person as different and “less than” the rest of the population.
- People who do not fit within the rigid definitions may be denied benefits that they need.
- Having to prove one’s disability over and over is time consuming and can be dehumanizing.
Social Model
Society creates disabling conditions–to a large extent, “disability” is an avoidable condition caused by poor design. More inclusive designs can remove the barriers that people with disabilities face in their everyday lives.
Strengths of the Social Model
- Empowers people with disabilities by removing the stigma often associated with physical impairments.
- Empowers designers of physical and virtual environments to think broadly about usability for all kinds of humans.
- The big picture with the social model is that society can be more welcoming and just, with a higher quality of life for all, if we make the effort to design with accessibility in mind.
Weaknesses of the Social Model
- Can de-emphasize the physical reality of a disability too much.
- A person’s disability can be an important part of one’s identity and it shouldn’t be minimized to the point that people are afraid to talk about it.
Biopsychosocial Model
Recognizes that disability is a complex and multifaceted concept and incorporates the perspectives of the medical and social models. This includes the biological, individual, and social aspects of disability.
Strengths of the Biopsychosocial Model
This model takes into account multiple facets of disability (biological, psychological, and social) and is useful in rehabilitation, allowing health and social care workers to develop more robust support for people with disabilities.
Weaknesses of the Biopsychosocial Model
Combining health and social factors in defining disability may possibly downplay the medical needs of people with disabilities.
Economic Model
Views disabilities from the perspective of the economic impact of the disability on individuals, employers, the state, and welfare programs.
Strengths of the Economic Model
This model recognizes that (bodily) disabilities impact people’s ability to work, which has various implications.
Weaknesses of the Economic Model
- This model may create a sense of stigma because it legally defines people with disabilities as needing assistance such as disability payments; they may be viewed as being “needy” members of society.
- Many people have disabilities that significantly impact their ability to work but they do not meet the legal definition of having a disability and therefore do not qualify for assistance programs.
Functional Solutions Model
Focuses on applying innovation (technology or methodology) to overcoming the limitations of disability.
Strengths of the Functional Solutions Model
Focuses on results that benefit people with disabilities, without getting hung up on theoretical or political questions.
Weaknesses of the Functional Solutions Model
If accessibility professionals are too focused on creating practical technological solutions, they may miss opportunities to address the larger social context. Sometimes addressing the larger social context works so well that it can make a specific technological solution obsolete.
Social Identity or Cultural Affiliation Model
People with disabilities may develop a sense of personal identity through consorting with others who share similar life experiences based on their disability. Together, the group develops a sense of culture based on these shared experiences.
Strengths of the Social Identity or Cultural Affiliation Model
- Self-acceptance and empowerment
- Political strength can be gained by forming alliances and advocacy networks.
Weaknesses of the Social Identity or Cultural Affiliation Model
Doesn’t always serve as a useful basis for technical definitions of disability because groups of people with different types of disabilities–or even without any disabilities–may consider themselves part of the same social group.
Charity or Tragedy Model
Treats disabilities as unfortunate or tragic conditions worthy of special treatment.
Strengths of the Charity or Tragedy Model
Can create a sense of empathy in those without disabilities and inspire them to genuinely assist people with disabilities.
Weaknesses of the Charity or Tragedy Model
Encourages unequal social and political relationships between people, which can actually slow down progress for people with disabilities as a whole.
Affirmation Model
Similar to the social identity or cultural affiliation model, it encourages people with disabilities to affirm their identity and feel comfortable in their own skin, celebrating everything about their physical identity, including their disabilities.
Sociopolitical Model
More of an activist model that emphasizes the need for human rights for people with disabilities.
Religious/Moral Model
One interpretation of the religious/moral model assumes that disabilities are given to people as a punishment for actions of either the individual themself or of their parents or others who have brought this condition upon them. Or, if a disability is not seen as a punishment, it may be regarded as a condition given by God to teach a lesson or to test the person.
